So-Cal State Beach

[boydmick]

WHOAH! Just noticed this, no wonder it's totally available!

*Alerts and Important Information*

These are hike-in Tent sites. After registering at El Moro Canyon Park office, you will hike 3 strenuous miles to the campground.

Just so you know - the hike in sites are in the wooded canyons of El Morro about 3 miles from the beach. The Beach Cottages are the only "camping" on the beach in Orange County. For RV's or vehicle (roof-top tent, but no ground tents) there is always Huntington City or State Beaches (parking lot adjacent to the beach).

All of the developed beach campgrounds in So Cal are State facilities and reservations can be made 365 days in advance (and usually are!).

Good Luck!

 

[gon2srf]

So which of our lovely crowded state beaches would you pick for camping. I have only been to a couple but San Clemente is the only one I can think of at the moment. I am thinking it would be nice to do a little beach camping one of these weekends. Just to walk on the beach, ride the bikes around the camp grounds, & sit around a fire. for a couple of nights while saving some $$ on gas by staying in SoCal.

If you want a decent campground very close to home consider San Mateo Campground, it is just inland in San Clemente. It is considered part of San Onofre Campground. You can easily ride bikes to the beach (Trestles) from the campground.

Campsite Map - SAN ONOFRE SB, California - ReserveAmerica

Search for Jalama State Beach if you are willing to drive a bit...near Lompoc.

I camp at Jalama a couple times a year. It has one of the most amazingly desolate beaches in California because it is located between Vandenburg A.F. Base and the Cojo Ranch. It is a county park and first come first serve only. The drive into Jalama is worth the trip but it is a very long drive from OC.

Jalama Beach County Park

Note: San Onofre does not have camping on the beach, hasn't since they closed Echo Arch in the early 80's.

San Elijo is another San Diego Co. beach campground that is cool and Doheny can be a quick OC overnighter, it is on the beach.

Good luck.

 

[gon2srf]

Just so you know - the hike in sites are in the wooded canyons of El Morro about 3 miles from the beach. The Beach Cottages are the only "camping" on the beach in Orange County. For RV's or vehicle (roof-top tent, but no ground tents) there is always Huntington City or State Beaches (parking lot adjacent to the beach).

All of the developed beach campgrounds in So Cal are State facilities and reservations can be made 365 days in advance (and usually are!).

Good Luck!

Hey Boyd-

Good info.

A couple of exceptions, Doheny is pretty damn close to the water and Jalama is a county facility, barely in So Cal but you can't make reservations.

 

[cruiserruf]

Campsite Map - SAN ONOFRE SB, California - ReserveAmerica


Jalama Beach County Park

Note: San Onofre does not have camping on the beach, hasn't since they closed Echo Arch in the early 80's.

San Elijo is another San Diego Co. beach campground that is cool and Doheny can be a quick OC overnighter, it is on the beach.

Good luck.

On base, Camp Pendleton, there is a san onofre camp ground and the campground is on the beach. there's the civilian side of San O and there's the military side. If you're on the civilian side you can practically walk in to the military side. no gates or protective barriers. you would still need a pass in order to camp on base though.

 

[Bluetribal]

You should also look into Point Magu. Its just north off Malibu about 10 miles, and its right on the beach. You need to make reservations at reserveamerica.com
Harry

FYI it's Point MUGU

 

[hntashdjian]

FYI it's Point MUGU

Oh yea, thats right. I always get that wrong.

Its a really nice spot though, I love it.

 

[Bluetribal]

Yeah, currently it's booked up on weekends, but weekdays have some availability.

 

[boydmick]

Hey Boyd-

Good info.

A couple of exceptions, Doheny is pretty damn close to the water and Jalama is a county facility, barely in So Cal but you can't make reservations.

OK, I'll give you Doheny (State Beach) It is pretty close to the sand!

I always thought Jalama was a State Beach as well, but I stand corrected

 

[gon2srf]

OK, I'll give you Doheny (State Beach) It is pretty close to the sand!

I always thought Jalama was a State Beach as well, but I stand corrected

I know Doho kinda sucks, (loud, dirty water) but the new aquarium in the harbor is a must see, especially for the kids. They also just opened a group camping area at the south end of the campground near the horseshoe courts. Up to 40 people allowed.

Jalama is run by the county of Santa Barbara and as I said is first come first serve. You need to show up early in the a.m. and they have a lottery for the available spots. If you can show up on a Monday your golden.

 

[abclin]

Sycamore Canyon north/west of Zuma-Malibu southeast of Pt. Mugu on old cost hwy., kinda nowhere but not far from everything. hike-Mtn. bike the canyon, run across PCH to beach, 5-10 mins south to Neptunes Net Zuma n' Malibu

 

[bpenn1980]

Mark, all i have to say is you better start your reservations now. If there's anything left. Or go during the week. Beach campgrounds book up fast and already most likely are for the next few months.

Brad, Gaviota isn't bad (nothing like El Cap)... but you camp literally in a parking lot. It's not "on" the beach. But the the train trestle is cool and the pier is neat. We camped there one night last year on the way back from Pismo.

Gaviota ..

We camped just a couple spots down from the spot you stayed at. Interestingly it was WINDY up there. At about 4-5 pm things would start cooling off at the beach and BHAM a wall of 100+ degree air would hit you coming from the inland valleys. I've never experienced anything like it. It was as if someone had turned on the heater to high and it would blow most of the night.

Camp attendant was a real beeyotch though which kinda sucked. She almost had us kicked out because one of our group was playing guitar at 11pm....nevermind the people who rolled into the campground at 2am and set off their car alarm which sounded for about 30 seconds. I'm sure the guitar was a "real" nuisance though. Bitter? No way.